With Avengers: Age of Ultron set to open this weekend, Iron Man enthusiasts may not have to wait very long to obtain their very own Iron Man-esque super powers. Patrick Priebe, a 32-year-old inventor and YouTuber based in Germany, has recently debuted a working Iron Man glove complete with two powerful laser beams and a launcher that shoots metal bolts.
The red and gold glove incorporates two distinct lasers that can actually blow things up – a powerful 3000mW blue laser that can etch into wood, blow up balloons from across the room and sizzle the rind of an orange, as well as a less powerful 700mW red laser that – according to the video – can also blow up balloons. The glove also features lights and sound effects, which honestly, really enhance the cool factor.
Priebe, who runs the site Laser Gadgets, has turned his affinity for all things superhero into a business model that allows him to create custom pieces on-demand. Other items in his bevvy of products include a Spider-man web shooter, X-Men laser eyes, a model Halo plasma rifle, Homer Simpson’s electric hammer, and a functional Iron Man laser gauntlet. (You can view the full range of products here.)
It took Priebe, who was trained as a paint lab technician, the better part of three weeks to build the functional glove, which he warns people, is NOT a toy. “What it does to wood and paper, it can also do to human skin, and whatever you do, do not look directly into the lasers.”
And while the laser functions of the glove are impressive enough, it’s the projectile launcher of which Priebe might be the most proud. The launcher ejects a piece of metal from under the glove’s top cover. To activate the lasers on the glove, the wearer has to flex his or her hand, and the launcher requires a hand controller to operate.
Priebe developed his unique skillset after injuring his knee, which led him to be let go from his job. He notes that he doesn’t really ever set out to design something; he just gets an idea and tinkers until he makes it work.
“I never design much. I do stuff on the fly. [I] figure it out while working after I had a certain idea, like the ejecting thing. It worked right away, just the triggering took me two additional days. I had to take apart my paintball gun for parts.”
To investigate how you might procure your very own, customized superhero weapon, check out the Laser Gadgets website, and you can perhaps commission Priebe to make your vision a reality. He even notes on the home page that you should receive a response from him within two days, and if not, you’re welcome to track him down via Facebook or YouTube.
Via Mashable
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